How to Breed Bangaii Cardinalfish

The Bangaii cardinalfish, also known as Banggai cardinalfish, is a type of cardinalfish that has black stripes on a silver body. The species originates in the waters surrounding the Banggai island near Indonesia and has become a coveted aquarium fish because of its beauty and peaceful nature. Aquarium hobbyists enjoy breeding the Bangaii cardinalfish because of its fascinating mouth brooding form of reproduction. The male not only incubates the eggs in his mouth, but continues to carry the baby fish, also called fry, for the first few weeks of life. Bangaii cardinalfish are adaptive to varying water temperatures and tank conditions, making them a fairly easy fish to breed in captivity. With a few tank considerations and proper care, you can experience the reproduction of this beautiful fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 7-gallon aquarium with filter
  • Thermometer
  • Medium-to-bright aquarium light
  • Rocks or driftwood
  • Bangaii cardinalfish
  • Live fish food or flaked fish food
  • Breeder net (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare an aquarium for breeding Bangaii cardinalfish. Though this fish is typically peaceful, it can be aggressive when it has its young. It is best to keep the breeding pair in a tank separate from other fish until the fry are partially grown. Bangaii cardinalfish are primarily nocturnal, but are also active during the day. Therefore, you have flexibility in the type of lighting for the tank, though medium-to-bright lighting is recommended. Bangaii cardinalfish can be shy when breeding, so it is important to provide hiding places in the tank, such as rocks or driftwood. Your aquarium should be 7 gallons (26 liters) or larger, and the water temperature should be kept around 75 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees to 29 degrees Celsius) for optimal breeding conditions.

    • 2

      Select a breeding pair of Bangaii cardinalfish. A pet or aquarium store that specializes in tropical fish is a good place to shop for your pair. Though you can keep several females with one male, the species does well with one pair breeding at a time. The staff at a pet or aquarium store can help you make your selection to be sure you get a compatible pair of Bangaii cardinalfish that is old enough to begin to reproduce.

    • 3

      Provide proper nutrition for your breeding Bangaii cardinalfish. This is key to the reproduction of this type of cardinalfish. The species prefers live food, such as baby brine shrimp, but will also do well with a high-quality tropical fish flake food, krill and blood worms. Feed the breeding pair several times each day. A sign that your Bangaii cardinalfish have successfully mated is the male's lack of interest in food. While he is carrying the eggs and fry in his mouth, he will not eat. This will take three to four weeks.

    • 4

      Take proper care of your newly-hatched baby Bangaii cardinalfish. Increase daily feedings and be sure there are plenty of small-sized pieces of food for them to consume, such as newly hatched brine shrimp. Do not add other tank mates to your aquarium, as they may eat the small fry. If you are keeping them with the breeding pair, monitor them against aggression as the male and female prepare to breed again. If you notice problems, consider using a breeder net to separate the fry, or remove them and place them in a separate tank.